Effects of space flight on the expression of liver proteins in the mouse

Abstract

Raw data derived from mass spectroscopic (MS) analyses of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections of the essential metabolic organ, liver, allocated by the provider (Amgen) from mice subjected to 13 days of microgravity on NASA Flight STS-118 were analyzed by two different search engines, using shotgun proteomics. With the eight statistically significant readouts in hand, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was employed to visualize probable biologic pathway relationships among proteins that might be associated with alterations in liver biochemistry due to space flight. Most noteworthy was the finding of up-regulation of the first urea cycle enzyme carbamoylphosphate synthetase, consistent with increased amino acid catabolism resulting from gravitational changes, and/ or other stress associated with missions in space. Down-regulation of fructose-bisphosphate aldolase B, regucalcin, ribonuclease UK114, alpha enolase, glycine N-methyltransferase and S-adenosyl methionine synthetase isoform type-1 was observed. 60 kDa heat shock protein was elevated. © 2012 Gridley DS, et al.